Agenda, decisions and minutes

To submit, for confirmation, the draft minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the County Council held on 26 October, 2023.

The minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the County Council held on 26 October, 2023 were confirmed as correct.

To receive any declaration of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

None received.

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·         The Chair referred to the to the significant damage to the fire at the Shire Hall on Sunday evening.  She wished to thank the Emergency Services in protecting the residents of Glanhwfa Road due to the fire and for their work throughout the year.

·         Congratulations extended to Mr Paul Woodhouse, Deputy Head Teacher at Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi Secondary School and to Ms Liah Williams, Ysgol Pencarnisiog School for their success at the 2023 North Wales Education Awards.

·         Congratulations extended to PC Lisa Thomas and Angharad Jones from the Council’s Social Services team after their work of tackling anti-social behaviour on Anglesey was recognised at the North Wales Police Problem Solving Partnerships awards.  

·         The Anglesey Community Programme also received praise recently at the Safer Communities for Wales Awards for the positive effect that it had on reducing anti-social behaviour in towns across the Island. The project won the “Partnership” category for the inclusive way that it promoted community safety.  

·         Congratulations extended to Mrs Annwen Morgan who has begun in her role as the new Chair of the Anglesey Welsh Language Forum.

·         The Chair referred to the Age Friendly Conference held in Cardiff on the 8^th of November. Sioned Young, the Council’s Age Friendly Anglesey Community Development Officer spoke at the Conference as did Brenda Roberts, Chair of the Elderly Council on the Island.

·         Congratulations expended to  Anglesey’s girls netball team who competed at an Islands tournament in the Isle of Man recently.

·         The Chair referred that Mr Dafydd Roberts from the Benefits Section has recently released his first Christmas single ‘Amser yr Ŵyl'.

·         Congratulations extended to everyone who took part in the Winter Fair in Builth Wells this year. A special congratulations to Tony and Iona Ponsonby who are tenants on one of the Council’s Farms and it was nice to see the Young Farmers of Anglesey succeeding in the Winter Fair.  

·         Congratulations was extended to the Young Farmers for holding the National Young Farmers Eisteddfod at Mona recently.

The Chair wished to praise the contribution of Anglesey residents who have come together to hold community events during December.  She thanked all the volunteers for spreading the Christmas spirit across the Island and for their work with those less fortunate in our society.

The Chair also thanked all the school staff and young people who have prepared and taken part in different Christmas shows across the Island.

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Condolences were extended to any Member of the County Council or Staff who had suffered a bearevement.

Members and Officer stood as silent tribute.

To receive any petition in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.11 of the Constitution.

None received.

To submit the following, as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 7 December 2023 :-

·         The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer – Statement of Accounts 2022/2023.

·         The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation – Annual Governance Statement 2022/2023.

·         The report of External Audit on the audit of the 2022/2023 financial statement.

(ISA 260 report).

Submitted – the report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 7 December, 2023.

The Portfolio Member for Finance said that the Statement of the Accounts for 2022/2023 and ISA 260 Report has been discussed through the scrutiny process and was presented to the Governance and Audit Committee. The Wales Audit Office have accepted the reports without the requirement for any amendments.

Councillor Robert Ll Jones referred that the Statement of Accounts needed to be available for the residents to view as to how the financial resources of the Council is spent. He referred to the Pensions Scheme of the Council and ascertained whether a separate report could be afforded due to the complexity of the scheme. He further referred that the housing arrears have risen as people are having difficulties due to the cost-of-living crisis. He further referred to environmental issues and ascertained as to how the financial resources addresses the need within each service of the Council. He considered that the Environmental Champion needs to afford an annual report on the environmental strategy of the Council and the other 12 Champions should also afford an annual report on the areas of responsibility they are responsible for to demonstrate their efforts in promoting the services the represent. 4

In addressing the comments by Councillor R Ll Jones, the Portfolio Member for Finance said that Statement of Accounts are available on the Council’s website so that residents can view as to how the financial resources of the Council is spent and quarterly reports are submitted to the Executive. He noted that the Pension Scheme is administered by Gwynedd Council and regular reports and webcasting of the Pensions Committee is available on their website and is also open for the public to attend. The Portfolio Member for Children, Youth and Housing Services referred to comment made regards the increase in rent arrears and said that there is a Financial Inclusion Team within Housing Services who are available to provide advice and support to tenants if they are facing financial difficulties. He noted that the matter was discussed recently at the Executive, and it was emphasised as to the importance that tenants who are currently not eligible for housing benefits and financial support should be encouraged to contact the Council if they are suffering any financial hardship. In response to the comments as regards to the environment the Leader of the Council said that the Council has a corporate programme to reduce carbon footprint within each service of the Council and it is reported annually as regards to the progress made. She referred to the services Champions and noted that the work they undertake are included within reports afforded to the Council and she agreed that the role of the services Champions may need to be more apparent within services annual reports.

Councillor Aled M Jones referred that historical anomalies were experienced by some teachers as regards to their Teachers’ Pensions fund  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer and Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Planning and Orders Committee held on 4 October, 2023 and thereafter a Portfolio Decision by the Portfolio Member for Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change on 24 November, 2023.

Submitted – the report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/ Monitoring Officer and Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Planning and Orders Committee held on 4 October, 2023 and thereafter a Portfolio Decision by the Portfolio Member for Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change on 24 November, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Customer Service said that the proposal is to increase the time allowed for members of the public to speak from 3 minutes to 5 minutes at the Planning and Orders Committee and the proposal has been supported by the Group Leaders and the Executive.

It was RESOLVED to approve:-

·       To authorise the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer to change to the reference in paragraph 4.6.21.6 of the Constitution from 3 minutes to 5 minutes (that is the time that members of the public are allowed to speak in the Planning Committee);

·                 To authorise the Head of Regulation & Economic Development to change any reference in the guidance relating to the procedure that members of the public are allowed to speak for 5 minutes.

To submit a report by the Head of Highways, Property and Waste as presented to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November, 2023.

Submitted – the report by the Head of Highways, Property and Waste as presented to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property said that the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 supports the Council’s key ambitions in the Council Plan. The Council Plan states that by 2028 the Council needs to reach a recycling rate of 70% and to reach the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030. He noted that all residents and tourists have a duty to reduce waste and to increase recycling. He further said that approving the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan will be an example that the Council is dealing with environmental issues as part of the recycling initiative. Councillor Thomas said that the Council has a good working relationship with partner organisations within the WLGA, Welsh Government and WRAP Cymru to assist in reaching these target rates of recycling of 70% and at present the current recycling rates on Anglesey is 64% (which can vary during different periods within the year). The Portfolio Member referred to the recent six weeks public consultation which took place between 11 September and 20 October, 2023. The consultation was designed to gather feedback on the key work streams to reduce, reuse and recycle more of household waste and nearly 200 responded to the consultation process. He further said that reference has been made that the recycling box to hold carboard is insufficient and other avenues of affording cardboard collection needs to be considered i.e. affording sacks for additional carboard. He further noted that there is a need to re-educate people as to importance of recycling and especially the younger generation.

The Leader of the Council endorsed the recommendations within the report but as the Strategic Plan has been presented to the Council at the end of December, she proposed an amendment that the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan be implemented from 2024-2029.

The Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee highlighted the recommendations of the Committee held on 22 November, 2023 to the Council which included that the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan on specific actions includes the increase in food recycling rates; that consideration needs to be given when planning applications are submitted for fast food outlets that a waste disposal bin needs to be provided; to note that recycling and waste is a corporate responsibility across a number of Council Services and that Keep Anglesey Tidy campaigns should be afforded to educate children and young people the importance of recycling; Recycling bin waste in our coastal towns and communities is an aspect that needs further attention and is a matter linked to other strategic plans such as the Destination Management Plan, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan.

Councillors Jeff Evans and Pip O’Neill expressed that there has been an increase in fly-tipping in Holyhead and there is a need to help and support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.